Murray calls for tougher firework checks as Government admits no national noise tests in three years

Susan Murray, Liberal Democrat MP for Mid Dunbartonshire and Scottish Affairs spokesperson, has called on the UK Government to test fireworks more often, after it confirmed it has carried out no national noise testing of fireworks in the last three years.

In a written parliamentary question, Ms Murray asked the Government how many consumer fireworks had been tested against the legal noise limit in each of the last three years, and how many had failed.

The Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade responded:

“The Government has not undertaken further equivalent testing programmes in the last three years and therefore holds no additional centrally collected data on the number of consumer fireworks tested for compliance with maximum noise limits or found to be non-compliant.”

The last national testing programme was published in February 2023. It found that four of the 72 fireworks tested were louder than the legal limit of 120 decibels.

The answer is the latest step in Ms Murray’s campaign on firework noise levels. Earlier this month, she wrote to the Government asking for a review of how loud consumer fireworks are allowed to be, and called for tougher action on illegal and underage sales after reports of illegal sales in Bishopbriggs.

Ms Murray said:

“With Bonfire Night just around the corner, people will be shocked to learn that the Government has not run a single national test of firework noise in three years.

“Loud fireworks cause real distress to pets, older people and children with additional needs, here in Mid Dunbartonshire and right across the country. Families deserve to know that the fireworks on sale are safe and within the law.

“The Government must carry out regular testing. It should also look again at lowering the noise limit, so our communities can enjoy celebrations without fear.”